Louis "Gene" Thorn

May 15, 1931 -

Aug 29, 2020

The sea was angry that day my friend ...

Louis E. "Gene" Thorn was born on May 15, 1931, in the small Minnesota town of Staples. Eighty-nine years later, in the comfort of his own home, Gene passed away on Aug. 29, 2020, in Seward, Alaska, surrounded by his five children.

Dad was raised on a dairy farm during the Depression, and these two things shaped his work ethic and attitude toward life. He was a Class Vice President and played football and baseball at Staples High School, graduating in 1949.

He married Ardith Nelson in 1949, and they had two daughters: LuJean and Jackie. In search of opportunity, he drove the Alcan Highway with his uncle Walt in 1952. He settled in Seward, becoming a fisherman, longshoreman and small-business owner. In 1960, he married Patricia Clancy and together they had three children: Craig, Steven and Karyn. As a business owner, at one point he simultaneously owned Solly's, The Palace and Gilfillen's bar. After a devastating fire in 1970, he rebuilt what would become the iconic Thorn's Showcase Lounge.

In the 1970s, he organized the construction of the Seward Little League baseball field. He was known as a very generous man and for many years supported athletics at Seward High School. He built what would become known as Thorn's (basketball) court, which he described as the best investment he ever made, as it was utilized extensively by Seward youth for decades. He loved attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and never missed a basketball game. He loved watching college basketball and his favorite team was the Duke Blue Devils. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and in 1985 went on a Hawaii Cubs cruise with his son, Steve. He was gregarious and always quick with a joke and had a nickname for everyone.

He is survived by his children: LuJean (Steve) Larson, Jackie (Chuck) Anderson, Craig (Debbie) Thorn, Steve (Shannon) Thorn and Karyn (Leif) Clemens. He has 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by Pat, his wife of 57 years.